Intraindividual variability of semen quality, proteome, and sncRNA profiles in a healthy cohort of young adults.

Background: Within-subject variability of semen parameters and molecular components of ejaculates in young men remains poorly understood.

Objectives: To investigate intraindividual variability (IIV) of semen parameters and molecular markers in repeated ejaculates from young men.

Materials And Methods: Semen parameters were assessed in samples collected 6-8 days apart from 164 18-19-year old participants of the Russian Children's Study, a prospective cohort.

Geometrical Factors Affect Wall Shear Stress in Saccular Aneurysms of the Infrarenal Abdominal Aorta.

Background: Low wall shear stress (WSS) is predictive of aortic aneurysm growth and rupture. Yet, estimating WSS in a clinical setting is impractical, whereas measuring aneurysm geometry is feasible. This study investigates the association between saccular aneurysm geometry of the infrarenal aorta and WSS.

Presentation and outcomes of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms in females, existing gaps, and future directions: A descriptive review.

Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms are more common in men. Yet, females often have worse outcomes, fewer interventions, and lower treatment rates. Females have also benefited less from the research and treatment of those diseases than men.

Pubertal progression in relation to peripubertal exposure to organochlorine chemicals in a cohort of Russian boys.

Background: Peripubertal concentrations of serum dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have demonstrated associations with altered age of pubertal onset and sexual maturity in boys, but associations with pubertal progression have received less attention.

Methods: The Russian Children's Study is a prospective cohort of 516 boys enrolled in 2003-2005 at age 8 or 9 and followed annually up to 19 years of age. Serum concentrations of dioxin-like toxic equivalents (TEQs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) and whole blood lead levels (BLLs) were quantified from blood samples collected at study entry (age 8-9).

Artificial intelligence for the vascular surgeon.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated different aspects of vascular surgery to solve challenges in clinical practice. Although AI in vascular surgery is still in its early stages, there have been promising developments in its applications to vascular diagnosis, risk stratification, and outcome prediction. By establishing a baseline knowledge of AI, vascular surgeons are better equipped to use and interpret the data from these types of projects.

Clinical and molecular heterogeneity of syndromic hypothalamic hamartoma.

Two children are presented who have a distinct syndrome of multiple buccolingual frenula, a stiff and short fifth finger with small nails, a hypothalamic hamartoma, mild to moderate neurological impairment, and mild endocrinological symptoms. No variant assessed to be pathogenic or likely pathogenic was detected in the GLI3 gene in either child. This syndrome appears to be distinct from the inherited Pallister-Hall syndrome associated with GLI3 variants, which is characterized by hypothalamic hamartoma, mesoaxial polydactyly, and other anomalies.

Prospective study of thyroid function in the first year of life in infants with Down syndrome.

Current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Guidelines recommend monitoring thyroid function in infants with Down syndrome (DS) at birth, 6 and 12 months, and annually thereafter. This study aimed to determine whether these guidelines are optimal for early diagnosis and treatment of (subclinical) hypothyroidism. Enrolled infants with DS less than age 7 months, born at ≥ 30 weeks gestation to monitor thyroid function test (TFT).

Stents in the Management of Stenotic and Occlusive Lesions in the Venous System.

Occlusive disease of the iliac veins or major intrathoracic veins have traditionally been managed by conservative management or by major vascular reconstructive procedures. Over the past 15-20 years, these lesions have become amenable to management with venous stents. Lesions in the iliac venous system are typically due to thrombus secondary to deep vein thrombosis, and lesions in the superior vena cava are due to either malignant intrathoracic lesions, indwelling central venous catheters, pacemaker leads, or enlarged nodes due to granulomatous disease.

PRMT5 activates AKT via methylation to promote tumor metastasis.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is the primary methyltransferase generating symmetric-dimethyl-arginine marks on histone and non-histone proteins. PRMT5 dysregulation is implicated in multiple oncogenic processes. Here, we report that PRMT5-mediated methylation of protein kinase B (AKT) is required for its subsequent phosphorylation at Thr308 and Ser473.

Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations during four windows spanning puberty (prepuberty through sexual maturity) and association with semen quality among young Russian men.

Aim: To prospectively investigate the associations of urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations measured at four time points spanning pubertal development with semen parameters in Russian men.

Design: 516 boys were enrolled at ages 8-9 years (2003-2005) and followed annually.

Methods: Urine samples were collected annually and pooled into four exposure windows [prepuberty, early puberty, late puberty and sexual maturity] based on physician assessed Tanner genitalia stages and testicular volume.

Associations of prepubertal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with pubertal onset among a longitudinal cohort of boys.

Background: Although phthalate exposures have been associated with adverse effects on male reproductive health, few studies have explored longitudinal associations with male pubertal development.

Objectives: We examined the association of prepubertal urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites with age at pubertal onset in a prospective cohort of Russian boys.

Methods: At enrollment at ages 8-9 years, medical history, dietary, and demographic information was collected.

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Delaware reveals tremendous genomic diversity.

The use of next generation sequencing is critical for the surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2, transmission, as single base mutations have been identified with differences in infectivity. A total of 1,459 high quality samples were collected, sequenced, and analyzed in the state of Delaware, a location that offers a unique perspective on transmission given its proximity to large international airports on the east coast. Pangolin and Nextclade were used to classify these sequences into 16 unique clades and 88 lineages.

Association of peripubertal blood lead levels with reproductive hormones and semen parameters in a longitudinal cohort of Russian men.

Study Question: Are peripubertal blood lead levels (BLLs) associated with semen parameters and serum reproductive hormones among young Russian men?

Summary Answer: We observed a suggestion of lower ejaculate volume with higher peripubertal BLL but no associations of BLLs with reproductive hormones measured throughout adolescence or with other sperm parameters measured at adulthood.

What Is Known Already: Lead is a known reproductive toxicant and endocrine disruptor. Previous literature has shown associations between high lead exposure and poorer semen quality both in occupationally and environmentally exposed men.

Peripubertal serum levels of dioxins, furans and PCBs in a cohort of Russian boys: can empirical grouping methods yield meaningful exposure variables?

Background: Dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are endocrine disruptors with half-lives of months to years in humans. Peripubertal exposure to these chemicals may disrupt pubertal timing. Biomarker exposure metrics like the sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs in serum (∑NDL-PCBs) involve chemicals with different hypothetical effects.

Ureteral stenosis following iliac artery stenting.

Ureteral complications after open aortoiliac reconstruction for aneurysmal and occlusive disease have been reported previously. However, ureteral complications from endovascular interventions for iliac artery disease are relatively rare. We describe a case of left ureteral stenosis resulting in hydroureteronephrosis after multiple endovascular interventions involving the left common and external iliac arteries.

Peripubertal serum concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and semen parameters in Russian young men.

Background: Epidemiologic literature on the relation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with semen quality among adult men has been inconclusive, and no studies have prospectively explored the association between peripubertal serum OCPs and semen parameters in young men.

Objective: To evaluate prospective associations of peripubertal serum concentrations of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-hexachlorocylohexane (β-HCH), and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) with semen parameters among young Russian men.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 152 young men who enrolled in the Russian Children's Study (2003-2005) at age 8-9 years and were followed annually until young adulthood.

Perspectives on Molecular Diagnostic Testing for the COVID-19 Pandemic in Delaware.

The United States has quickly transitioned into one of the epicenters for the coronavirus pandemic. Limitations for rapid testing for the virus responsible for the pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the single most important barrier for early detection and prevention of future outbreaks. Combining innovative molecular biology techniques, such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas nuclease systems and next generation sequencing (NGS) may prove to be an effective solution to establish a high-throughput diagnostic and genomic surveillance workflow for COVID-19 in the State of Delaware.

Comparison of bioimpedance body composition in young adults in the Russian Children's Study.

Background & Aims: Body mass index is a simple anthropometric measure (kg/m) used as an indirect estimate of body fat in individuals, and in assessments of population health and comparisons between populations. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is often used to provide additional information on body fat and fat-free mass, and has been used to generate body composition reference data in national health surveys. However, BIA measurements are known to be device-specific and there are few published studies comparing results from different BIA instruments.

Associations of peri-pubertal serum dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls with growth and body composition among Russian boys in a longitudinal cohort.

Background: Childhood exposure to organochlorines has been associated with alterations in somatic growth. We evaluated the associations of peri-pubertal serum levels of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) and nondioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs), with adolescent growth, body composition, and near adult height (NAH) in a longitudinal cohort study of Russian boys.

Methods: 473 8-9 year-old boys had serum DLCs and associated toxic equivalents (TEQs) and NDL-PCBs concentrations measured.

Blood lead levels and timing of male sexual maturity: A longitudinal study of Russian boys.

Background: Higher blood lead levels (BLLs) have been linked to neurologic deficits and impaired growth, but few studies have evaluated their association with timing of sexual maturity or pubertal progression in boys.

Methods: In a longitudinal cohort of Russian boys enrolled at age 8-9 and followed to adulthood, BLLs were measured at study entry, and pubertal staging (genitalia and pubic hair) and testicular volume (TV) measurements were obtained annually. We used interval-censored regression models to estimate differences between boys with higher BLL (≥5 μg/dL) and lower BLL in mean ages at sexual maturity (genitalia stage 5, pubic hair stage 5, or TV ≥ 20 mL) and duration of pubertal progression (onset to maturity), adjusting for potential confounders.

Prioritizing Racial Equity: How Efforts to Advance Racial Equity Helped Shape the W.K. Kellogg Food & Fitness Initiative.

Racial equity is closely linked to principles of fairness and justice. It is distinct from the concept of racial equality. Community engaged strategies aimed at creating racial equity have generated effective ways to dismantle structural racism-the racialized policies and practices that have shaped economic and social institutions in the United States throughout its history.

Inhibition of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 enhances hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) regulates gene expression either transcriptionally by symmetric dimethylation of arginine residues on histones H4R3, H3R8, and H2AR3 or at the posttranslational level by methylation of nonhistone target proteins. Although emerging evidence suggests that PRMT5 functions as an oncogene, its role in metabolic diseases is not well-defined. We investigated the role of PRMT5 in promoting high-fat-induced hepatic steatosis.

Peripubertal serum dioxin concentrations and subsequent sperm methylome profiles of young Russian adults.

Background: The association of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in the peripubertal period with subsequent sperm DNA methylation is unknown.

Objective: We examined the association of peripubertal serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) concentrations with whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) of sperm collected in young adulthood.

Methods: The Russian Children's Study is a prospective cohort of 516 boys who were enrolled at 8-9 years of age and provided semen samples at 18-19 years of age.